The Earl and Countess of Derby Invite the English-Speaking Union to A Magical Holiday Weekend at Knowsley Hall

The Earl and Countess of Derby Invite the English-Speaking Union toA Magical Holiday Weekend at Knowsley HallPrescot, Merseyside L34 4AG EnglandNovember 20–23, 2025 From $2,500 pp double / $3,400 pp single in an Executive SuiteUpgrades to Deluxe and Royal Suite/Lord Derby’s Suite available  Step into the enchantment of the holiday season with an exclusive invitation […]

Think & Drink

ESU members and guests are invited to an exciting new kind of event that combines educational topics with social gatherings. Think and Drink is a one-hour lecture program launched in July of 2025 by Casual Animal Brewing Company, a microbrewery in the East Crossroads area, south of downtown KC. The Think and Drink lecture series […]

Think & Drink: History of Christmas Traditions

Just in time for the holidays! The first Think & Drink program in December is The Surprising & Jolly History of Santa and Christmas Traditions in America.  This holiday program brings out the spirit of the season. From Dutch settlers’ tales of Sinterklaas to Coca-Cola ads, shopping malls, and holiday parades,  the Santa Claus we […]

Happy Hour: A Brief History of Toys for Tots

From its humble beginnings in 1947, the wife of a Marine Reserve Major wanted todonate dolls to a charity that would distribute the toys to children in need. Sheconvinced her husband to create one. He looked to fellow Marine reservists to get thejob done. The project was a huge success and was officially adopted by the […]

A Christmas Carol

All ESU members and Friends of ESU are invited to this holiday classic produced by KCRep. This production of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens is a blend of classic storytelling with lively and energetic performances by an all-star cast. For more than 40 years, Kansas City’s beloved tradition has created holiday memories for families […]

2026 Shakespeare Competition

2026 National Shakespeare Competition Kansas City Branch Finals March 1,2026 • 2:00 – 4:00 pm CST Join us for our 42nd annual Shakespeare Competition in Kansas City as KC metro area high school students compete for First Place with the winner advancing to the National Finals in New York City in April 2026. Students perform […]